Directly the planetary nature of the newly-discovered body had been
established, the great observatories naturally included this
additional member of the solar system in their working lists, so that
day after day its place was carefully determined. When sufficient
time had elapsed the shape and position of the orbit of the body
became known. Of course, it need hardly be said that observations
applied to the planet itself must necessarily provide a far more
accurate method of determining the path which it follows, than would
be possible to Le Verrier, when all he had to base his calculations
upon was the influence of the planet reflected, so to speak, from
Uranus. It may be noted that the true elements of the planet, when
revealed by direct observation, showed that there was a considerable
discrepancy between the track of the planet which Le Verrier had
announced, and that which the planet was actually found to pursue.
The name of the newly-discovered body had next to be considered. As
the older members of the system were already known by the same names
as great heathen divinities, it was obvious that some similar source
should be invoked for a suggestion as to a name for the most recent
planet. The fact that this body was so remote in the depths of
space, not unnaturally suggested the name "Neptune.
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